In Review: On Friday evening, the Minnesota Supreme Court sided with Democrats in their interpretation of the quorum question at the center of a power dispute in the state House, ruling that 68 members need to be present to meet that threshold. That seems to void everything that has happened so far in the House, where Republicans have moved ahead as a majority with 67 members present and have been conducting chamber business while the Democrats have not been present. The DFL caucus has been boycotting the session to deny quorum and keep Republicans from acting on the one-seat advantage they have—at least for now—due to a vacant seat. The Supreme Court order means the House will go back to square one, but it is unclear what happens next. The court, in its order, did not chart the course for how the House should move forward. While we do not know what will happen next, the following bills have been introduced: SF 52/HF120 (Medical Assistance FFS Dispensing Fee Imposed on Health Plan Companies and County-based Purchasing Plans) and SF 205 (Prohibit PA of Antineoplastic Cancer Treatment). Finally, it came to our attention that during a Senate Caucus meeting late last week, some members tried to make pharmacy issues a top priority. The good news it was held back for the moment, but based on conversations after the meeting with a few members, it is going to be a very tough session as pharmacy issues are being pushed hard by the local pharmacists.

Up Next: PCMA has a meeting with House Health and Human Services Policy Committee Co-chair Robert Bierman (DFL) on Thursday.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Mack at mmack@pcmanet.org.